Next Sprinter
The second-generation Sprinter recently went on sale in the U.S. Larger in every dimension, it's offered in two wheelbases (144- or 170-inch), passenger van (two roof heights) 2500-series, cargo van (three roofs) 2500- or 3500-series, and 3500-series cab-and-chassis configurations. Payloads range from 2600 to more than 5500 pounds, max GVW is 11,030, max GCW 18,530, max empty weight with aftermarket body is 7400, and max towing capacity is 7500.
2500-series Sprinters offer a 3.5 liter gasoline V 6 similar to the Mercedes unit used in many classes, tuned to 254 horsepower at 5900 rpm and 250 pound-feet from 2500-5000. For roughly $1900 extra, 2500s (and all 3500s) use an OM642 3.0 liter V-6 turbodiesel. Although this DOHC aluminum-block, balance-shafted engine has the same 154 horsepower rating as the outgoing 2.7 liter I 5, it's up to 280 pound-feet at 1200 to 2400 rpm and is much smoother, quieter, and cleaner. All Sprinters use a five-speed automatic and realistic gearing for decent acceleration. Even driving like we stole it, a Mega Roof dualie cargo van delivered 17.8 mpg--we could only eke 16.7 mpg out of the gas engine, cruising on level highway in a smaller, lighter van.
Each quick-release seat has an adjustable headrest and shoulderbelt, and options include bi-Xenon headlamps, rear wipers (one per door), power-heated mirrors, and electric windshield defroster. Base prices range from $30,950 for a short-wheelbase standard-roof diesel chassis cab to $39,555 for a long-wheelbase high-roof diesel passenger van.
New Ford Crossover: the Flex
Ford unveiled the Flex crossover, a vehicle that looks an awful lot like the Fairlane concept of a few years ago. It's got more masculine lines than the slow-selling Freestyle (sorry--Taurus X) and nav system with real-time traffic info and is powered by a 260-horse, 3.5 liter V 6 with a six-speed automatic. Will it make the Taurus X obsolete?
Smaller EarthRoamer
From the folks who brought you the all-diesel or electric F 550 off-road RV comes the short version, aka EarthRoamer XV-JP. The key is the Loftop, an electrically powered device that fits a cantilevered queen-size bed, and up to nine feet of headroom on a Wrangler; the top uses interchangeable "skins" of all-season, extreme cold, or high-temperature radiant barrier design. The shell is a composite sandwich to keep weight down.
The XV-JP sports a galley, shower, 4.5-gallon cassette toilet, 6100 BTU furnace, screened and shaded windows, vent fan, engine-heated four-gallon hot water tank and 25 fresh, four-cubic-foot fridge, 80-watt solar panel and a 210-AH AGM battery bank, plus more typical off-road items like GPS, lights, 9000-pound winch, 8cfm compressor, and upgraded suspension. About $100,000. www.earthroamer.com
No-Smoking Caddy
At the Geneva motor show, Cadillac introduced a diesel, a version of which we'd love to see in future trucks and SUVs. The General's newest clean diesel is a 2.9-liter four-cam, four-valve, 60-degree aluminum head, compacted graphite iron V-6 set for use in the 2009 CTS.
The engine is GM's first diesel with closed-loop-combustion technology, can be mounted transversely or longitudinally (adaptable to two- and four-wheel-drive vehicles), and is rated at 250 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. It'll be built by VM Motori at a new plant in Cento, Italy.
A common-rail injection system and piezo injectors are monitored by piezo-resistive cylinder-pressure sensors integral with the glow plugs, allowing real-time data acquisition of the combustion process. The variable-geometry turbo also is controlled by the substantial processing power.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to add cylinders of the 83mm x 90.4mm dimensions and make a 90-degree block--this could easily be the "premium" diesel GM has said is coming by 2009. If so, it roughs out at 3.9 liters capable of 333 horsepower and 540 pound-feet, though those numbers would likely be detuned to less than 300 horsepower and 475 pound-feet for the harsher duty cycle of a pickup or big SUV and driveline longevity.
CAUGHT!! Toyota Land Cruiser (image not avaible)
Although the new Lexus LX 570 was recently unveiled at the New York auto show, little has been seen of sibling Toyota Land Cruiser. There's certainly a strong family resemblance between this camouflaged Toyota and the Lexus, as you can see in this shot, recently taken in the Australian Outback during hot-weather testing. Like the Lexus, the Land Cruiser likely will get the new Tundra's 5.7 liter V 8, but we also hear Toyota wants to get its new 4.5-liter turbodiesel certified for use in the U.S. as soon as possible. We further hear this same diesel is being used in some early development mules running a diesel/hybrid powertrain. That could be quite interesting, with potential fuel-economy numbers for the large SUV in the high 20s and low 30s.
Spied!! HUMMER H3T (image not avaible)
First shown almost four years ago, Hummer finally looks like it's going to bring its Hummer pickup truck to market. Codenamed GMT745, the H3T will be based off a heavily modified version of a crew-cab Colorado chassis and wheelbase. The shortbed looks to be about four feet long and should offer some type of lockable storage cargo boxes, similar to the dealer option rail boxes available on the GMT900 Silverado. Engine options will include the 242-horsepower, 3.7-liter I-5 and the new 295-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 (see H3 Alpha story above). The H3T is likely to start production near the end of 2008 as a 2009 model. Hummer is on track to sell about 40,000 H3s this year, and we'd guess that number will bump up about 20 percent when the new H3T comes out. Look for more as we catch the Hummer guys trail-testing their mules around the country. Sure would be nice with a little six-cylinder turbodiesel.